SCIS Curriculum Night

1. SCIS Curriculum Night Science & GT Mathematics

2. Introductions • Sandra Dennis, GT Math • sandra_dennis@lovejoyisd.net • Aubrey Findley, Science • aubrey_findley@lovejoyisd.net • StephaniKranz, Science • stephani_kranz@lovejoyisd.net • SheilahMcTee, Science • sheilah_mctee@lovejoyisd.net

3. Questions? If you have questions, please write them on a sticky note, and place them on the “Questions” paper. We will answer all the questions via email by September 20th .

4. Science Big Ideas • Nature Of Science – Safety, Lab Equipment, Scientific Method, Inquiry • Physical Science – Matter, Mixtures and Solutions, Circuits, Light, Energy, Force, Motion • Earth Science – Day/Night, Seasons, Tides, Moon, Planets, Resources, Landforms • Life Science – Ecosystems, Food Webs, Adaptations, Inherited Traits, Life Cycles

5. Science Homework • Homework assignments will NOT be given from 5th Grade Science on a daily basis. Most of our learning will take place in the classroom with hands-on activities. • Students will have homework if they have make-up work from an absence or unfinished class work. • On some occasions, your child will have enrichment homework from Science. One example is Science Fair.

6. Grading • Students will be given numerical grades. • Each grade is weighted equally. • Progress reports will be given at the 3 week mark beginning with the 2nd Six Weeks. • Unit tests will be replacing the quarterly benchmarks and will be for a grade. These unit tests will assess the standards that students have been learning and will take place approximately every four weeks.

7. A Day in the Life of Your Scientist • Warm-up • Hands-on activities • Non-fiction reading • Vocabulary • Cooperative learning • Science journal • Technology

8. How Can I Support My Child? • PowerSchool • SchoolTown • Agenda/Planner • Science Binder • Unit Test Checklist • Talk to your student about Science. Science is all around you, and children this age are curious and want to know.

9. What’s GT About Math? • Acceleration • Review 5th grade TEKS • Focus 6th grade TEKS • Extend 7th grade TEKS • Rigor • Complexity of problems/solutions

10. A Day in GT Math • 90 minutes of class (double block) • Warmups • Intro/mini-lesson • Practice time/game time • Independent practice

11. 20 – 30 minutes per night Homework . • Math Olympiad—non-routine problem solving • Opportunity to share strategies and attempts—even unsuccessful ones—with classmates on due date • Skill review/practice as needed • Expectation for improved success as the year progresses

12. Grading • Math Olympiad problems -- NOT graded • Classwork grades weighted once • Unit test grades weighted twice • Progress reports--3 week mark (beginning with the 2nd Six Weeks) • Report cards—6 week marking periods

13. Support Systems • PowerSchool weekly updates • SchoolTown/regular email updates • Planners • Tutoring Schedule: • Tues. a.m.—Homework Club • p.m.—invitation only • Thurs. p.m.—Drop ins • Other days/times available if needed

14. Additional Information • Math STAAR – April 1, 2014 • Reading STAAR – April 2, 2014 • Science STAAR - April 23, 2013 • Adventure Camp – October 21 - 13 • Enterprise City – December 13, 16 or 17

15. Additional Information • LGA (Lovejoy Gifted Association)--a not-for-profit advocacy group for all gifted children in Lovejoy ISD. Membership is open to all persons interested in the mission of the organization. • Academic Enrichment—LISD website tool listing opportunities for student enrichment

16. Thank you for coming!Please contact us with ANY questions!